Hinge structure



April 1966 J. RUDNICK 3,246,684

HINGE STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 15, 1963 INVENTOR. Jack R u Jul -k ATTORNEY 3,246,584 HINGE STRUCTURE Jack Rudnick, 225 E. Moshoiu Parkway N., Bronx, N31. Filed Feb. 15, 1963, Ser. No. 258,679 Claims. (Cl. 160-113) The present invention relates generally to improvements in door structures and the like and it relates more particularly to an improved hinge structure connecting adjacent panels of a folding door.

The employment of folding type doors affords numerous advantages in many applications. This is particularly true Where the area to be opened and closed is of great width. The use of the conventional swinging doors under these conditions is unsuitable since the width of a single panel swinging door is limited for mechanical and space reasons and provision of a plurality of side by side individually swingable doors is not only inconvenient and unattractive but is structurally awkward and expensive. Sliding doors have been frequently used in these applications but these likewise leave much to be desired. While the folding type of door offers many advantages when employed in covering large areas and in regions of limited space they possess certain drawbacks. Important among these drawbacks is the hazard of personal injury attendant to the use of the conventional folding door. With the closing of the door confronting end faces of hinged adjacent panels move from a mutually open to a mutually closed position with the ever present danger of the operator having his hand or fingers pinched in the resulting clamping jaw action. As a consequence, the use of the conventional folding doors has been greatly restricted.

It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved door structure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved folding door structure.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved hinge structure connecting the adjacent panels of a folding door.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved hinge structure for folding door which obviates the pinching hazard.

scription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a folding door embodying the present invention one section being illustrated in closed position and another section in a partially open position;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 22 in FIGURE 1 the door panels being shown in broken line in open position;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged sectional View taken along line 3-3 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 44 in FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 5 is a sectional View similar to FIGURE 2 of another embodiment of the present invention.

In a sense the present invention contemplates the provision of a folding door structure comprising a pair of vertical first and second laterally spaced rectangular panels having proximate inner vertical edges and remote outer edges, means supporting said first panel for swinging about a vertical axis adjacent its outer edge, means limiting the movement of the outer edge of said second panel along a predetermined path, an intermediate panel disposed between said first and second panels, and means hinging said ited Stats Patent 0 3,246,684 Patented Apr. 19, 1966 first and second panels along said inner edges to said intermediate panel along laterally spaced vertical axes on said intermediate panel.

According to a preferred form of the present structure there is provided a longitudinally extending overhead track which is positioned along the head of the door frame, a journal member being located adjacent to an end of the track. The outer upper corner of the first panel is pivotally engaged by the journal member and the outer upper corner of the second panel carries a follower which slidably engages the track. The first and second panel members include confronting end faces and front faces which intersect the end faces along inner front edges. A first hinge member includes a pair of plates hinged along a first vertical axis and connected to the end face of the first panel and the rear face of the intermediate panel and a second hinge member includes a pair of plates hinged along a second vertical axis and connected to the end face of the second panel and the rear face of the intermediate panel. The distance between the first and second vertical axes is about equal to or a little greater than the sum of the thicknesses of the first and second panels. The inner front edges of the first and second panels lie substantially along the rear vertical edges of the intermediate panel. The aforesaid hinge structure may be advantageously modified by locating the intermediate panel forward of the first and second panels and providing it with flanges directed rearwardly from the side vertical edges thereof toward the front and second panels to define stop members limiting the swinging movement of the hinges.

Referring now to the drawing, and more particularly to FIGURES 1 to 4 thereof which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the door structure is shown supported in registry with a closet opening frame including a head 11, a sill defining floor 12 and side jambs 13, the door comprising two pairs of symmetrical, complementary pairs of first and second similar rectangular door panels 14 and 16 respectively, it being noted that one or more pairs of panels may be employed and these may be used in connection with any opening, as is well known in the art. The panels 14 and 16 are relatively thick being formed of fiberboard, wood or other suitable material. The panel 14 includes a front face 17, a parallel rear face 18 and an inner end face 19 perpendicular to and intersecting the front face 17 at a front inner vertical edge 20. The panel 16 includes a front face 21, a parallel rear face 22 and an inner end face 23 intersecting the front face 21 at a front innner vertical edge 24.

Afiixed to the head 11 is a longitudinally extending positioning bar 26 which is engaged by the upwardly facing channel shaped section of a longitudinally extending track member 27 having a downwardly facing channel shaped track 28. The track 28 comprises a top web 29 common with the upper channel section and depending side legs 30 provided with inwardly projecting flanges 32 terminating in upwardly directed lips. A journal block 33 is located in the track 29 adjacent to a side jam-b 13 and has a socket defining vertical bore 34 formed therein. A bracket 36 embraces and is secured to the upper outer corner of the panel 14 and comprises a top web 37 overlying the top face of the panel 14 and a relatively deep front plate and a rear flange depending from the edges of the top web 37 and abutting the panel front and rear faces 17 and 18 respectively. A pivot pin 38 is aflixed to and projects upwardly from the bracket web 37 into registry with the journal socket 34.

A journal member 39 comprises a base plate 40 afiixed to the sill 12 and a channel shaped journal section 41 suitably longitudinally adjustably mounted on the base plate 49 and having a socket defining opening 42 formed therein in vertical axial alignment with the upper socket 34. A bracket 43 similar in configuration to the bracket spa es t 36 embraces and is affixed to the lower outer corner of the panel 14 remote from the face 19 and has a lower cross web 44 abutting the underface of the panel 14 and .having formed therein a tapped vertical bore in axial alignment with the socket 42. A pivot pin 46 engages the socket opening 42 and is provided with an upwardly directed threaded axial shank engaging the tapped bore :in the web 44 and having longitudinal flats 48 for accepting a tool to facilitate the turning of the shank 48 and the vertical adjustment of the pivot pin relative to the panel 14. A set screw 49 engages a correspondingly tapped bore in the bracket rear plate and releasably bears on the shank 47 to releasably lock the pivot pin 47 in a selected vertical position. The panel 14 is thus hinged for swinging about a vertical axis delineated by the pivot pins 38 and 47 and adjacent to a side jamb 13.

A bracket 59 similar in configuration to the bracket 36 embraces and is afiixed to the upper outer corner of the panel 16 remote from the end face 23 and includes a top cross web 51 overlying the top face of the panel 16. Directed upwardly from the web 51 is an axle 52 which carries a lower spacer collar 53 and an upper follower defining roller 54 which engages the track 28 to limit the movement of the outer end of the panel 16 to a linear path.

In order to permit the folding of the panels 14 and 16 attendant to the opening and closing of the door without the danger of any exposed pinching mechanism there is provided between the panels 14 and 16 a relatively narrow rectangular intermediate panel 56 having a rear face 57a substantially extending between the panel front inner 'edges and 24 and for substantially the full lengths thereof. A first hinge 57 advantageously of the piano type includes a first leaf or hinge plate 58 abutting the panel end face 19 and preferably extending for substandaily the full length thereof and is secured there-to by screws 59. A second hinge plate 60 abuts and is affixed to the intermediate panel rear face 57a, likewise extending for the full length thereof and afiixed thereto by screws 61. The hinge plates 58 and 60 terminate in interdigitating aligned knuckles 63 disposed along the panel inner front edge 20 and the adjacent edge of the intermediate panel 56 and a hinge pin 64 registers with the knuckles 63. Similarly, a second preferably piano type hinge 65 has a first hinge plate 66 screw fastened to and extending the height of the panel end face 23 and a second hinge plate 67 screw fastened to and extending the height of the intermediate panel rear face 57a. The hinge plates 66 and 67 terminate in interdigitating aligned knuckles 68 extending along the panel inner front edge 24 and coupled by a registering hinge pin 69.

The width of the panel 56 between the inner front edges 20 and 24 of the panels 14 and 16 is at least equal to the sum of the thicknesses of the panels 14 and 16 and where these panels are of the same thickness at least twice the thickness of one of these panels. Moreover, the width of the intermediate panel 56 advantageously does not exceed two times the sum of the thickness of the panels 14 and 16.

In the operation ofthe improved door structure described above, when the door is in its closed position, as illustrated, the panels 14 and 16 are in coplanar alignrnent and their front inner edges are hinged and bridged by the intermediate panel 56 whose rear edges extend sub- :stantially along these front inner edges. As the door is opened in the usual manner, the door panels 14 and 16 swing rearwardly relative to the intermediate panel 56 about the pivot pins 64 and 69 and there are no exposed contracting jaw arrangements which could effect a pinching action. With the closing of the door, the panels 14 and 16 swing forwardly relative to the panel 56 about the pivot pins 64 and 69 and by reason of the arrangement and relationship of the panels 14, 116 and 56 and the hinges 57 and 65 there is likewise no exposed action which presents a pinching hazard,

In FIGURE 5 of the drawing there is illustrated another embodiment of the present invention differing from that first described only in the construction of the intermediate panel and its association with the main door panels. Specifically the intermediate panel 70 includes a front section 7 1 having a flat rear face 72 and is of rectangular configuration extending for the full height of the main panels 73 and 74. Directed rearwardly from the side edges of the front section 71 are longitudinal extending lips 76 having inner and outer faces 77 and 78 respectively which converge rearwardly to an apex edge 75 which extends along the inner front edge 81 of a corresponding panel 73, 74 when the door is in its closed position. The lips 76 define stop members, the inner faces 77 of which are perpendicular to the rear face 72.

Hinges 78, preferably of the piano type extending for the full heights of the panels 70, 73 and 74 swingably connect these panels. Each of the hinges 78 includes a first hinge plate 79 screw fastened to the inner end face of a corresponding panel 73, 74 and a second hinge plate 82 screw fastened to the intermediate panel rear face 72, the hinge knuckles 83 registering with the corners delineated by the lip faces 77 and the intermediate panel rear face 72. The distance between the lip faces 77 is at least equal to the sum of the thicknesses of the panels 73 and 74 and the lip faces 77 and advantageously does not exceed two times such sum.

As in the first described embodiment, in the embodiment last described there are no exposed clamping mechanisms which present a pinching hazard during the opening and closing of the door. In addition, the provision of the stop members 76 limits the movement of the panels 73 and 74 to swings between relatively parallel and relatively side by side coplanar positions.

While there have been described and illustrated preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is apparent that numerous alterations, omissions and additions may be made without departing from the spirit thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A folding door structure comprising a pair of vertical first and second laterally spaced rectangular panels having transversely spaced front and rear faces and confronting inner end faces intersecting said front faces at inner front edges, means supporting said first panel for swinging about a vertical axis adjacent the outer edge thereof, means limiting the movement of the outer edge of said second panel along a predetermined linear path in transverse alignment with said vertical axis, an intermediate panel disposed between said first and second panels, and means hinging said first and second panels along substantially said inner front edges thereof to said intermediate panel along vertical axes on said intermediate panel laterally spaced a distance substantially equal to the sum of the thicknesses of said first and second panels, whereby said first and second panels are movable between an extended closed position in substantially coplanar relationship and a collapsed open position in a substantially parallel relationship directed forwardly of said outer edges in the substantial absence at the front of said door structure of pinch areas delineated by accessible surfaces folding toward each other attendant to the operation of said door structure.

2. A folding door structure comprising a pair of vertical first and second laterally spaced rectangular panels having transversely spaced front and rear faces and confronting inner end faces intersecting said front faces at inner front edges, means supporting said first panel for swinging about a vertical axis adjacent the outer edge thereof, means limiting the movement of the outer edge of said second panel along a predetermined linear path in transverse alignment with said vertical axis, an intermediate panel disposed between said first and second panels and means hinging said first and second panels along substantially said inner front edges thereof to the rear face of said intermediate panel along vertical axes on said intermediate panel laterally spaced a distance substantially equal to the sum of the thicknesses of said first and second panels, whereby said first and second panels are movable between an extended closed position in substantially coplanar relationship and a collapsed open position in a substantially parallel relationship directed forwardly of said outer edges in the substantial absence at the front of said door structure of pinch areas delineated by accessible surfaces folding toward each other attendant to the operations of said door structure.

3. A folding door structure comprising a longitudinally extending overhead track member, a pair of first and second laterally spaced vertical rectangular panels having transversely spaced front and rear faces and confronting inner end faces intersecting said front faces at inner front edges, a journal member disposed adjacent an end of said track member and engaging said first panel adjacent the outer edge thereof for swinging about a vertical axis, a follower member mounted adjacent the outer edge of said second panel and slidably engaging said track, a vertical relatively narrow intermediate panel disposed between said first and second panel and having a rear face, a first hinge including a pair of plates hinged to swing about a first vertical axis and secured to said first panel inner end face and said intermediate panel rear face, and a second hinge including a pair of plates hinged to swing about a second vertical axis and secured to said second panel inner end face and said intermediate panel rear face, said first and second vertical axes being laterally spaced a distance substantially equal to the sum of the thicknesses of said first and second panels, whereby said first and second panels are movable between an extended closed position in substantially coplanar relationship and a collapsed open position in a substantially parallel relationship directed forwardly of said outer edges in the substantial absence at the front of said door structure of pinch areas delineated by accessible surfaces folding toward each other attendant to the operation of said door structure.

4. The door structure of claim 3 wherein said first and second panel inner front edges are adjacent corresponding rear vertical edges of said intermediate panel.

5. The door structure of claim 3 wherein said first and second panel inner front edges are disposed rearwardly of said intermediate panel rear face, and said rear panel is provided with flanges directed rearwardly from the sides thereof toward said first and second panel inner front edges to define stop members limiting the swinging movement of said hinge plates.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,834,410 5/1958 Kuyper -183 2,860,701 11/1958 Wood et a1 160-199 FOREIGN PATENTS 612,049 10/ 1959 Canada.

90,625 3/ 1958 Denmark.

1,018,067 10/ 1952 France. 1,094,300 12/ 1954 France.

108,457 9/ 1943 Sweden.

REINALDO P. MACHADO, Primary Examiner.

BENJAMIN BENDE'IT, HARRISON R. MOSELEY,

CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Examiners. 

1. A FOLDING DOOR STRUCTURE COMPRISING A PAIR OF VERTICAL FIRST AND SECOND LATERALLY SPACED RECTANGULAR PANELS HAVING TRANSVERSELY SPACED FRONT AND REAR FACES AND CONFRONTING INNER END FACES INTERSECTING SAID FRONT FACES AT INNER FRONT EDGES, MEANS SUPPORTINGSAID FIRST PANEL FOR SWINGING ABOUT A VERTICAL AXIS ADJACENT THE OUTER EDGE THEREOF, MEANS LIMITING THE MOVEMENT OF THE OUTER EDGE OF SAID SECOND PANEL ALONG A PREDETERMINED LINEAR PATH IN TRANSVERSE ALIGNMENT WITH SAID VERTICAL AXIS, AN INTERMEDIATE PANEL DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND PANELS, AND MEANS HINGING SAID FIRST AND SECOND PANELS ALONG SUBSTANTIALLY SAID INNER FRONT EDGES THEREOF TO SAID INTERMEDIATE PANEL ALONG VERTICAL AXES ON SAID INTERMEDIATE PANEL LATERALLY SPACED A DISTANCE SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO THE SUM OF THE THICKNESSES OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND PANELS, WHEREBY SAID FIRST AND SECOND PANELS ARE MOVABLE BETWEEN AN EXTENDED CLOSED POSITION IN SUBSTANTIALLY COPLANAR RELATIONSHIP AND A COLLAPSED OPEN POSITION IN A SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL RELATIONSHIP DIRECTED FORWARDLY OF SAID OUTER EDGES IN THE SUBSTANTIAL ABSENCE AT THE FRONT OF SAID DOOR STRUCTURE OF PINCH AREAS DELINEATED BY ACCESSIBLE SURFACES FOLDING TOWARD EACH OTHER ATTENDANT TO THE OPERATION OF SAID DOOR STRUCTURE. 